Sampling mechanism



Sept. 19, 1961 JOHNSON 3,000,220

SAMPLING MECHANISM Filed May 7. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 19, 1961 E. A. JOHNSON 3,000,220

SAMPLING MECHANISM Filed May 7. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent '0 3,000,220 SAMPLING MECHANISM Ernest A. Johnson, 425 N. 53rd Ave., W., Duluth, Minn. Filed May 7, 1956, Ser. No. 583,111 13 Claims. (Cl. 73-424) This invention relates to sampling devices. More particularly, it relates to a sampling device for taking samples of granular materials such as grain and the like (or liquid substances such as chemicals, etc.) as it travels down an inclined chute or along some other conveyor means such as a conveyor belt.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein is an improvement on my prior invention as disclosed and claimed in US. Letters Patent No. 2,664,751, issued to me on January 5, 1954 and entitled Grain Sampler.

One of the disadvantages of sampling devices as heretofore known is that they fail to take an accurate sampling. In many of these devices, some of the previous sample is retained each time a new sample is taken and thus an accurate sampling of the material is not obtained. In addition, the sampling is often inaccurate because the sampling device fails to clean itself thoroughly and thus retains some of the prior sample. Some of the prior sample is sometimes retained within the sampling device because of the particular configuration of that device and as a result some of the prior sample may drop back in and mix with the next sample. Also some of the sampling devices are not controlled suificiently positively with the result that the size of the material receiving opening often varies and as a result a different sized sampling is taken. My invention is directed toward eliminating these disadvantages.

a It is a general object of my invention to provide a novel and improved sampling device of simple and inexpensive construction.

a A more specific object is to provide a novel and improved sampling device which will take an accurate sample and which will not retain part of the previous sample to mix with the subsequent sample.

- Another object is to provide. a sampling device which is so constructed that it will automatically thoroughly clean itself.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved sampling device which has a configuration which will preclude the retention of any of the previous samples.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved sampling device so constructed so that none of the previous samples may drop back into the sampling tube.

Another object is to provide an improved sampling device so constructed and so actuated that the size of the material receiving opening is always constant and thus a more accurate sampling is obtained.

Another object is to provide a novel sampling device constructed so as to take its sampling when in optimum position for extracting a true sample of the material passing by.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved sampling device having inherent means for permitting the same to be utilized with conveyors of different contours in such a manner as to secure a true and representative sample of the material passing along the conveyor.

Another object is to provide a novel and, improved sampling device constructed so as to substantially eliminate the possibility of fouling of the operation of the device by the material being tested entering the controlling portions thereof.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved sampling device which is adjustable to insure uniform sampling despite wear of portions of the mechanism.

"ice

Another object is to provide a novel and improved sampling device having additional means for insuring the closing operation of the device despite the usual" closing mechanism becoming inoperative.

Another object is to provide a novel the device on the desired sample even though the usual means becomes inoperative, the safety means being releas-;

ably held in placeto avoid damage to the device in the event a foreign object precludes complete closing of the device.

These and other objects and advantages of my inven-- tion will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through thedevice and the chute upon which the device is mounted;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along approxi-' mately line 55 of FIG. 4.

One embodiment of my invention is shown in FIGS.

l-3 mounted upon a chute 5 through which the material to be sampled is passing. This chute 5 is similar to the chute indicated by the numeral 4 in FIG. 1 of the patent referred to above. It may consist as shown of a chute in a common grain handling elevator or it may, if desired, consist of a conventional conveyor. In any event, the material passes along some type of conveying means and the device is mounted thereabove in position so as to extend into the material as it passes along the conveyor and to select samples therefrom. The embodiment shown in FIGS. l-3 may include a major tube 6 within which is mounted a Screw 7. This screw is of substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the major tube 6 and rotates therewith; The screw 7 and the major tube 6 are mounted on an axial shaft 8 which in turn is supported by a bearing 9 which is mounted on the chute 5. A pulley 10 is carried by the end of the shaft 8 which extends outwardly beyond the bearing and this pulley may be used to apply rotary power by a means not shown to the shaft 8. Secured to the opposite side of the chute 5 is a mounting or supporting bracket 11 which carries a bearing 12 in which the other end of the shaft 8 is journaled, as shown. One end 6a of the major tube 6 is closed and the other end is open and extends outwardly beyond the confines of the chute 5 as best shown in FIG. 1. The tube 6 is fixedly secured to the shaft 8 as is the screw 7 so that both of these members rotate with the shaft when rotary power is applied to the pulley 10. The open or discharge end 6b of the tube 6 discharges into a chute 13 which in turn empties into a sample receptacle 14.

Mounted on the major tube 6 and extending inwardly into the confines thereof is a plurality of radially extending pickup tubes 15. The major tube 6 has openings adapted to receive these tubes therein and a flanged tubular member 16 is secured to the tube 6 by bolts 17 around the opening. The pick-up tubes 15 extend into the flanged tube 16 and are secured thereto by a set-screw 18. The outer end of the pick-up tube 15 has a plate 19 secured thereto. This plate 19 closes off the outer end of the tubular member 15. The inner end 1511 of the pickup tubes extend inwardly toward the shaft 8 to a point at least half the distance between the inner walls of the tube 6 and the shaft as can be best seen by reference to FIG. 1.

and improved sampling device having positive safety means for closing The outer end portions of the pick-up tubes 15 have a transverse slot 15b formed therethrough. This slot, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, extends in the direction of rotation of the major tube '6'and of the'pick-up tubes 15 for the latter rotates with the major tube. Thus one of the openings formed by the slot' 15b faces'in the direction of rotation and the other opening faces rearwardly in the opposite direction. It will be noted that the'slOt-de-finingwalls 15c and 15d are straight Walls and that it is impossible for any of the material to be sampled to be lodged in the portions of the pick-up tube outside the straight walls. j

Mounted on each of the pick-up tubes 15 is a sleeve 20. This sleeve 20 is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of'the pick-up tubes 15. The tube 20 is also provided with a transversely extending slot in its outer end portions and this slot has been designated as 2911. The transverse slot 20a is preferably equal in size to the transverse slot 15!) of the pick-up tube 15, and the sleeve member 2e is adapted to be rotated so that these slots coincide when the closure member 20 is moved to open position.

Secured to the outer surface of each of the sleeves 20 is a torque post 21 which extends outwardly therefrom. Each torque post is connected by a spring 22 to an anchor post 23 which 'is carried by the tube.6 and extends outwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 2. The spring 22 constantly biases the closure member 20 toward closed position. Also mountedon each of the closure members 20 and extending outwardly therefrom is a cam or camming post 24. Secured to the chute and extending outwardly into the path of the camming post 24 as it rotates with the pick-up tube '15 and its sleeve '20 is an abutment member 25. In the embodiment shown the abutment member consists of a piece of angle iron secured to the interior wall of the chute 5 and each of these abutments are so positioned that as the pick-up tubes rotate the camming post 24 will engage the same and be deflected thereby so as to cause the sleeve 20 to rotate.

In operation, a source of rotary power is applied to the pulley to rotate the major tube 6 and the pick-up tubes carried thereby. The material to be sampled, which is indicated by the letter G, moves along through the chute 5 and as can be seen by reference to FIG. 1, the individual pick-up tubes are of suificient length so as to extend close to the bottom of the chute and in po sition to extend into the material to be sampled so as to permit them to engage a true sampling of the material as they rotate. The camming posts 24 are so arranged and positioned on the sleeves 20 that they will engage the abutment 25 just prior to the time when the associated pick-up tube extends substantially normal to the bottom of the chute. When the camming. post 24 engages the abutment 25 the sleeve 20 is caused; to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the pick-up tube until the slot a of the sleeve is aligned with the slot 15b of the pick-up tube. This position is shown by the pick-up tube which is drawn in section and shown at the lower portion of FIG. 1'. When the slots are so aligned the material to be sampled is free to flow transversely through the outer end portion of the'pick-up tube. Since the pick-up tube and major tube 6 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of flow ofthe material G', the material will pass fora brief, period through theouter end portion of the'pick-up tube. This insures that an accurate sampling is obtained and that none of themevious sample can remain in the pick-up. tube.

a As the pick-up tube passes a position truly normal to. the bottom of the chute- 5 or conveyor, the camming post slipsoif the abutment 24 whereupon the spring 22 will cause the sleeve to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the pick-up tube 15 and snap to closed position, as shown in FIG. 2. In this manner a true sample is trapped within the outer end portion of the pick-up tube 15 and is carried around therewith until the pick-up tube reaches an overhead position relative to the major tube 6 whereupon the sample will pass by gravity downwardly through the pick-up tube 15 and into the interior of the major tube 6. From thence the material is gradually conveyed by the screw 7 to the discharge end 6b of the tube where it is discharged into the chute 13 and then into the receptacle 14.

The inner end portions 15a of the pick-up tubes 15 extend a substantial distance inwardly beyond the inner walls of the pick-up tube '6. In fact, they extend at least half way to the shaft 8 and this particular arrangement is for a definite purpose 'for it precludes any of the prior taken samples from falling backwardly into the pick-up tube 15 asit approaches its lowermost position. In other words, the inwardly extending end portion of the pick-up tube preventsrun-back of the prior samples into the pickup tubes and resulting inaccuracy in sampling. v

The preferred form of my invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, includes a chute 30 through which the material to be sampled flows. -A- frame 31 is mounted across the upper edge of the chute 30 or above the conveyonif a conveyor is utilized instead of the chute 30. I The frame 31 is positioned so as'to extend transversely of the chute 3i) and it has a plurality of transversely extending bars 32 which, as shown, extend longitudinally of the chute and above the chute. A motor 33 and a gear box 34 is mounted on a portion of the frame 31 which extends laterally beyond the chute 30. This motor 33 and gear box 34 are drivably connected with a shaft 35 which extends transversely of the chute 30 and below the bars 32 as best shown in FIG. 4. The end of the shaft 35 which is connected directly to the gear box 34, is rotatably mounted in a bearing 36 so that the shaft is journalled for rotation about its longitudinal axis.

Mounted on the shaft 35 is a major tube 37 which. is constructed similarly to themajor t-ube6. It has an open end at 38 within which a spider 39 is positioned to support and fixedly secure the major tube 37 at that end of the shaft 35. The opposite end of the tube 37 is closed by a plate 40 which serves to secure and support the other end of the tube 37 to the shaft 35. A screw 41 is mounted on the shaft 35 within the major tube 37 in position to extend inclose proximity to the interior walls of that tube and thereby progress material which may be deposited within the interior of the tube longitudinally of the tube until it is discharged through the open end 38 into a'receptacle 42. a

Mounted on themajor tube-37 and extending into the interior thereof, as best shown in FIG. 5, is a sampling or pick-up tube indicated generally as 43. This'pick-up tube, as shown, includes a flanged tubular member 44 which is secured to the exterior of the major tube 37 by rivets or bolts 45. This tubular member is positioned to encircle an opening of equal diameter formed through the Wall of the tube 37. A pair of set screws 46 extends through the wall, of the flanged tubular member to secure an outer sleeve 47. Thisouter sleeve 47 is provided with oppositely positioned slots such as 47a in the wall of its outer end portion. One of the slots faces in the direction of rotation of the pick-up tube 43 and thQ'GthQI'lS positioned directly oppositeit so that, as the pick-up tube rotates, the. material will pass: directly through the slots unless otherwise prevented from doing. so. The slots in this outer sleeve 47 are positioned similarly to the slots in the outer sleeve, shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Extending withinthe outer sleeve 47 is an inner sleeve 48 which ha similarly positioned slots 48a; This inner sleeve 48, as shown, extends upwardly into the interior of the. major tube 37 and is capable of being rotated so that its slots are aligned with the slots ofthe outer sleeve 47 and also so that it may be rotated so that the wall portions thereof may be, shifted across the openings or slots 47a to close these openings. The lower end of the inner sleeve 48 carries an end' closure plate 49. The uppassing through the chute. 'pling is taken so as to represent a'true vertical sectional 'perreind of each of the sleeves 47 and-48 iscut away at the rear as at 50. The upper end of the outer sleeve 47, as shown, is open while the upper end of the inner sleeve has a plate 51 extending thcreacross. A rod 52 i fixedly secured to this plate 51 and extends upwardly through openings provided therefor in the shaft 35 and through the opposite wall of the tube 37. This rod 52 is capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis so that, when so rotated, it will carry with it the inner sleeve 48 to cause the slots of the latter to move between open and closed positions relative to the slots 47a of the outer sleeve 47.

To, accomplish the opening and closing movement of the inner sleeve 48, there is secured to the upper end ofthe rod 52 an actuator arm 53. This actuator arm is secured to the rod 52 by a set screw 5311 so that the inner sleeve 48 may be extended or retracted relative to the major tube 37 by merely adjusting the position of the actuator arm 53 along the length of the portion of the rod 52 which emends interiorly of the tube 37. Mounted on theopposite ends of the actuator arm is apair of. camming rollers 54 and 55. A spring 56 is connected to each of the camming arms at one of its ends and is anchored at its other end to the exterior of the major tube 37. This spring 56 constantly urges the actuator arm 53 to the position shown in broken lines at the left hand side of FIG. 4, which is the closed position. In other words, in the position shown at the left hand side of FIG. 4, the camming arm 53 is shown in the position where the slots 48a of the inner sleeve 48 are aligned with the slots 47a of the outer sleeve 47. 7 Mounted on each of the bars 32 is an abutment or cam 57. This abutment or cam is positioned so that, as the camming arm approaches the same in closed position, the roller 55 will engage the same and the camrning arm 53 -will be caused to shift to the open position which is illustrated in solid lines at the left hand, side of FIG. 4. "When in this position, the slots 47a and 48:: are aligned so that the material may flow freely through the outer end portion of the pick-up tube. When the tube 37 is rotated sufliciently far, the roller 55 will slip off the abutment or cam 57 whereupon the spring 56 will cause the actuator arm 53 to return to the closed position illustrated in broken lines at the left hand side of FIG. 4.

Mounted on one of the bars 32 at the opposite side of the actuator arm is a safety cam 58. This safety cam is mounted by means of a hinge 59 to permit the cam to be forced to an outof-way position. A spring 60 is connected to this safety cam to yieldably hold the cam in position so as to engage the roller 54 and thereby force the actuator arm 53 back to closed position if it has not already been moved to that position by the spring 56. The purpose of this safety cam is to insure that the sampling will continue in the event that the spring 56 breaks or otherwise fails to perform its proper function. In that event, the safety cam 58 will force the actuator arm to closed position as desired and the sampling operation will continue without interruption.

I The spring 60 provides yieldability to the safety cam 58 so that, in the event a foreign object becomes lodged in the slots 47a and 48a to prevent the inner sleeve from being moved to closed position, the device will not be seriously damaged. In that event, the spring 60 will permit the safety cam 58 to be forced to an out-of-way position. In such an instance, the foreign object will undoubtedly be carried free of the pick-up tube during the succeeding portion of its arc of rotation whereat the :slots are aligned.

in the fact that it obtains a true sampling of the material passing along the conveyor. With my device one can be assured that the sampling is not taken from any particular layer such as the upper surface of the material On the contrary, the samsample of thelayer ofmaterial passing through the conveyor at the time it is engaged by the pick-up tube.

It will also be noted that my sampling device is so constructed as to prevent run-back of prior samples and thus introducing inaccuracies in the sampling taken.

Reference to FIG. 3 shows that my sampling tube is so constructed as to preclude the retention of any part of a former sample within the structure of the pick-up tube as it passes around to make a new sampling. It also pre eludes any retention of a portion of the grain which ini-' tially passes into the opening so as to introduce errors in the sampling taken. The straight walls and 15d insure that all of the material which enters the slot on .one side passes through the slot and is discharged on theother until such time as the camming post slips oif the abutmentmember 25 or the rollers slip off the cam in the preferred form.

Another advantage of my sampling device is that a positive opening means is provided which assures the sampler that the opening through which the sample is to enter is always opened to its fullest and to an equal extent each time a sample is taken. It is impossible for the sampling device disclosed and claimed herein to open only part way and this is one of the disadvantages of sampling devices heretofore known.

Another important advantage of. my device is that it is simple and inexpensive to construct and operate. In addition, it needs no supervision other than to empty the sample bucket or receptacle 14 as the need occurs.

It will be noted that the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5 has the advantages of the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 and also has certain additional advantages. The principal advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the means for actuating the closure member, which is the inner sleeve 48, is positioned substantially farther from the grain which is passing through the chute 30 so that there is less possibility ofv grain getting into this mechanism and fouling its operation. As a result, this type of sampling device will operate in the most desirable manner a greater portion of the time and therefore a more true and representative sample of thematerial will be obtained.

It will also be noted that the pick-up or sampling tube 43 is capable of being adjusted longitudinally so as to-vary the extent to which the outer end portion of the tube extends radially outwardly from the major tube 37... In this manner, the device may be utilized with conveyors or chutes .of different depth or contour and the operator may adjust it so that it may extend to the bottom of the flow of material which is to be tested, thereby assuring a more true and representative sample thereof.

It should also be noted that the abutment or cam '57 is adjustable transversely of the chute so that the extent to which it extends into the path .of the roller 55 may be varied. This permits adjustment so that, despite wear on the rollers 55, the operator can always insure that the inner sleeve moves to a completely open position and thereby always extracts a full and true sample.

Another advantage of the preferred form, of course, is that means is provided therein for insuring that the sampling will continue uninterruptedly even though the spring 56 were to fail. In that event, the roller 54 will not have been swung back to the broken line position shown at the left hand side of FIG. 4 by the time it reaches the safety cam 58 and the latter will engage it and compel fit to swing back to the closed position.

It is deemed apparent that, while I have here shown and described my sample-taking device in connection with an inclined chute, the same is equally efficient and usable when used over a conveyor belt or the like and the word chute in the claims herein should be construed to include a conveyor belt or the like.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and prop 7 of the various parts Without departing from the scope of my invention.

I Whatis claimedis: l". A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ehute,means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein in communication with the interior of said major tube and being of a length to extend into material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tube having an opening adjacent its outer end facing the direction of rotation of said tube and a second and oppositely arranged opening facing in the opposite direction, a closure movably mounted on said pick-up tube over said openings, means biasing said closure to closed position 'over said openings insaid pick-up tube, means connected with said closure for temporarily moving said closure away from said openings in said pick-up tube whnerhe latter extends into material carried on said came to permit some of the material to flow through the openings of said pick-up tube and a sample thereof to be trapped Within said pick-up tube when said closure is again biased to closed position, and mechanical actusting means positioned to engage and actuate said closurern'oving means to cause the same to so move said closure. 2. ,A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a

major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a plurality of pick-up tubes mounted on said major tube and extending radially outwardly therefrom and each having a channel therein in communication with the interior of said tube and being of a length to extend into material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tubes having an opening adjacent their outer ends facing the direction of rotation of said tube and having a second and oppositely arranged opening facing in the opposite direction, a screw mounted within said major tube throughout substantially the entire eifective length thereof, said screw being of substantially the same diameter as the interior diameter of said major tube, said screw being non-rotatable with respect to said major tube to convey said material to one end of said major tube and discharge the same therefrom as said major tube' and screw'are rotated, a closure movably mounted on said pick-up tube over said openings, means biasing said closure to closed position over said openings in said pick-up tubes, means connected with said closure for temporarily moving said' closures away from said openings in said pick-up tubes while the latter extends into material carried on said chute to permit some of the material to flow through the outer end portions of said pick-up tubes and a sample thereof to be trappedwithin said pick-up tubeswh'en said' closures are again biased to closed position, and mechanical actuating means positioned to engage and actuate said closure-moving means to cause the same to so move said closure.

3. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending normally to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means torrotate'said tube, a plurality of pick-up tubes extending radially from said major tube and each having a channel therein in communication with the interior of said major tube and being of a length to extend into material carriedon said chute and pick up a samiple therefrom, said pick-up tubes each having an opening adjacent its outer end facing the direction of rotation of said tube and having a second and oppositely arranged opening facing in the oppos'itedirection, a screw mounted said major tube throughout substantially the en- 'tire'efie'ctive length "thereof; said screw being of substan- I id closure.

8 tially the same diameter as the interior diameter-of said major tube, said screw being nonrotatable with respect to said major tube to convey said material to one end or said major tube and discharge the same therefrom as said major tube and screw are rotated, each of said pickup tubes having an inner end extending inwardly into the interior of said major tube a distance equal to one-half the depth of said screw, a closuremovably mounted on said pick-up tubes over said openings, means biasing said closures to closed position over said openings in said pick-up tubes, means connected with said closures for temporarily moving said closures away from said openings in said' pick-up tubes while the latter extend into material carried in said chute to permit some of the material to flow transversely through the outer end portions of said pick-up tubes and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pick-up tubes when said closures are again biased to closed position, and mechanical actuat= ting means constructed and arranged to actuate said closure-moving means to cause the same to so move said closure.

4. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein in communication with the interior of said major tube and being of a length to extend into the material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tube having a straight walled transverse slot formed therethrough adjacent its outer end with its slot openings extending in the direction of rotation of said tube, a closure movably mounted on said pick-up tube over said openings of said slot, means biasing said closure to closed position over said openings in said pick-up tube, means connected with said closure for temporarilj moving said closure away from said openings in said pick-up tubes While the latter extends into material carried on said chute to permit some of the material to flow through said slot and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pick-up tube slot when said closure is again biased to closed position and to be subsequently dumped into said'major tube as said pick-up tube rotates with said major tube, and mechanical actuating means positioned to engage and actuate said closure-moving means to cause the same to so move said closure.

5. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending normally to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotatesaid tube, a pick-up tube extending radially outwardly from said major tube and having'a channel therein in communication with the interior of said major tube and being of a length to extend into material carried on said chute and pick up a sample there from, said pick-up tube having a transverse opening extending through opposite sides thereof adjacent its outer end and extending in the direction of rotation of said pick-up tube to permit material to flow transversely through said tube when the latter extends into the mate'- rial on the chute, a closure movably mounted on said pick-up tube over said openings, means biasing said closure to closed position over said openings in said pick-up tube, camming means connected with said closure for temporarily. moving said closure away from said openings in said pick-up tubes while the latter extends into material carried on saidchute to permit some of the material to flow through the transverse opening of said pickup tube and a sample thereof to betrapped within said pick-up tube when said closure is again biased to closed position, and means positioned to engage and activate said camming means to cause the same to so move with firA'sampling device-for-taking-a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said chute, a plurality of pickup tubes extending radially outwardly from said major tube and having a channel therein extending throughout substantially their entire length and in communication with the interior of said major tube, said pick-up tubes being of a length to extend into material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tubes each having transverse openings extending through opposite sides thereof in the direction of rotation of said pick-up tubes and facing the direction from which said material flows, closure mechanism movably mounted on said pick-up tube over said openings, means biasing said mechanism to closed position over said openings in said pick-up tube, means connected with said closure mechanism for temporarily moving said closure mechanism away from said openings in said pick-up tubes While the latter extend into material carried on said chute to permit some of the material to flow transversely through theouter end portions of said pick-up tubes and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pick-up tubes when their closure mechanism is again biased to closed posi- .tion, and mechanical actuating means positioned and related to said closure-moving means to cause the same to so move said closure.

7. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal. axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein, extending throughout substantially the entire length thereof in communication with the interior of said major tube and being of a length to extend into material carried on said chuteand pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tube having an opening adjacent its outer end facing the direction of rotation of said tube, a closure rotatably mounted on said pick-up tube over said opening for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said pick-up tube, means biasing said closure to closed position over said opening in said pick-up tube, camming means connected with said closure for temporarily rotating said closure away from said opening in said pick-up tube While the latter extends into material carried in said chute to permit some of the material to flow through the opening of said pick-up tube and into the confines thereof and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pick-up tube when said closure is again biased to closed position, and means mounted in the path of said camming means to engage and cause the same to so rotate said closure.

8. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein extending substantially throughout its entire length and being in communication with the interior of said tube, said tube being of a length to extend into material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tube having a straight walled transverse slot formed therethrough adjacent its outer end with the openings of said slot extending in the direction of rotation of said tube, a sleeve member rotatably mounted on said pick-up tube over said openings of said slot for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said pickup tube between opened and closed positions, said sleeve having a transverse slot formed therethrough and being adapted to be moved to slot-aligned relation with said pick-up tube to permit some of the material carried on said chute to pass transversely through the outer end portion of said pick-up tube, means biasing said sleeve 10 to closed position over said openings in said pick-up tube, means connected with said sleeve for temporarily moving said sleeve into slot-aligned relation with said pick-up tube while the latter extends into material carried on said chute to permit the material to flow through sa d slots and a sample thereof to .be trapped within said pick-up tube when said sleeve is again biased to closed position and to be subsequently dumped into said major tube as said pick-up tube rotates with said major tube, and mechanical actuating means constructed and arranged relative to said sleeve-moving means to cause the same to so move said sleve.

9. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially outwardly from said major tube and having a channel therein extending throughout substantially its entire length and being in communication with the interior of said major tube, said pick-up tube being of a length to extend into materialcarried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tube having a straight walled transverse slot formed therethrough adjacent its outer end and having the openings of its slot extending in the direction of the rotation of said tube, a sleeve mounted on said pick-up tube for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said pick-up tube between open and closed positions, said sleeve having a transverse slot formed therethrough of substantially equal size to the slot in said pick-up tube and arranged andpositioned tobe rotated into slot-aligned relation with said pick-up tub; to permit material to flow transversely through the outer end of said pick-up tube, means biasing said sleeve to closed position over the openings of the transverse j slot in said pick-up tube, a cam mounted 'on said sleeve and extending outwardly therefrom and being rotatable with said sleeve and said pick-up tube, and an abutment positioned in the path of said cam as the latter rotates with said pick-up tube to engage said cam and cause said sleeve to rotate about the longitudinal axis of said pickup tube to slot-aligned relation therewith against the bias of said biasing means while said pick-up tube extends into material carried on said chute, to permit some of the material to flow through the outer end portion of said pick-up tube and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pick-up tube slot when said sleeve is again biased to closed position and to be subsequently dumped into said major tube as said pick-up tube rotates with said major tube.

10. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute, comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein in communication with the interior of said tube and being of a length to extend into the material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tube having an opening adjacent its outer end facing the direction of rotation of said tube, and a closure rotatably mounted on said pick-up tube over said openings for rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of said pick-up tube, means mounted on the side of said major tube opposite said pick-up tube biasing said closure to closed position over said openings in said pick-up tube, means connected with said closure for temporarily rotating said closure away from said opening in said pick-up tube while the latter extends into material carried on said chute to permit some of the material to flow through the opening of said pick-up tube and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pick-up tube when said closure is again biased to closed position, and mechanical actuating means constructed and arranged relative to said closurerotating means to cause the same to so rotate said closure.

1-1. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute, comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chute, 'means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein in communication with the interior of said tube and being of a length to extend into. material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pickup tube having an opening adjacent its outer end facing the direction of rotation of said tube, a closure rotatably mounted on said pick-up tube over said opening for rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of said pick-up tube, means mounted on the exterior of said major tube in diametrically opposed position relative to saidpick-up tube biasing said closure to closed position over said opening in said pick-up tube, said pick-up tube being longitudinally adjustable radially of said major tube to vary the distance at which said pick-up tube extends radially outwardly from said major tube, means connected with said closure for temporarily rotating said closure away irom said opening in said pick-up tube while the latter "extends into material carried on said chute to permit some of the material to flow through the opening of saidpickup tube and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pick-up tube when said closureis again biased to closed position, and mechanical actuating means constructed and arranged relative to said closure-rotating means to cause the same to so rotate said closure.

12. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute, comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal "axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube extending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein in communication with the interior of said tube and being of a length to extend into material carried on said chute and pick up a sample therefrom, said pick-up tube having an opening adjacent its outer end facing the direction of rotation of said tube, and a closure rotatably mounted on said pick-up tube over said opening for rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of said :pick-up tube, means mounted on said major tube in diametrically opposed position relative to said pick up tube and biasing said closure to closed position over said opening in said pick-up tube, said biasing means including a 'camming arm connected to said closure and 'a resilient element biasing said ca'mming arm'and said closure to said closed position, means connected with said closure for temporarily rotating said closure away from said "opening in said pick-up 'tube while the latter extends into material carried on said chute to permit some of the material to flow through the opening of said pick up' tube and a sample thereof to be trapped Within said pick-up tube when said closure is again biased to closed position,

mechanical actua ing means con r ct d. nd ranged relative to said closure rjotating means to cause the same, 'to so rotate said closure, and a Safety cam mounted ad jacent the orbit of rotation of said pick-up tube and ar ranged and constructed to engage said camming arm in the event said resilient element fails to return said closure to closed position in order to thereby compel said cam ming arm to move to closed position.

13. A sampling device for taking a sample of granular material which is passing along a chute, comprising, a major tube mounted over said chute with its longitudinal axis extending transversely to, the longitudinal axis of the chute, means to rotate said tube, a pick-up tube ex tending radially from said major tube and having a channel therein in communication withthe interior of said tube and being of. av length to extend into material .carried on said chuteland pick-up a sample therefrom,

said pick-up tube having an opening adjacent its outer and facing the direction of, rotation of said tube, a closure rotatably mounted, on'saidpick-upftube over said opening for rotary movement around the longitudinal axis'of .said pick-up tube, means mounted on s aid major tube exterior-1y thereof in diametrically oppiosed position to said pick-HP tube and biasing said closure to closed position over said opening insaid pick-up tube, said biasing means including a camming arm connected with said closure and a resilient element urging said camming arm and said closure to closed position, mechanical means associated with said camming arm for engaging the same and temporarily rotating said closure away from said opening in said pick-up tube while the latter extends into material, carried on said chute to permit some of the material to flow through the opening of said pick-up tube and a sample thereof to be trapped within said pickeup tube when said closure'is again biased to closed position, a safety cam swingably mounted adjacent the orbit of said camming arm in position to engage the same in the event said resilient element fails to return said cammirig 'arm to closed-position after'said camming arm has passed said last mentioned :means,rand resilient means urging; said'safety cam into camming-arm-engaging position, said safety Cam, being yieldably swingable to 'an out-.of-way position in the eventfa foreign object precludes said closure from moving to closed'position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,664,751 Johnson Jan. 5, 1954 OTHER REFERENCES 

